“Craig Shakespeare's sacking, what's all that about,” said Merson in his weekly predictions . “Why give him the job? Where did they think they were going to finish? I know they are in the bottom three but they've played five of the top seven teams.

Craig Shakespeare and Michael Appleton during the Premier League match against Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium (Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)

“For me, they're in a position they should be with the games they've had, but this period coming up would have been his time to show what he's about.

“West Brom at home is a hard, hard game. Ask any manager, you don't want to play West Brom at home. I just think it's a joke.

“Maybe it's the Wales situation, with Chris Coleman's future unknown, maybe I'm putting two and two together and getting five.

“I think it's a joke how Premier League teams can go into a game with no manager. With the money and resources available now, they should have this sorted before playing the next game. They should be able to do a deal in no time. It's poor.”